GET PRIORITIES STRAIGHT, MR. MAYOR: FOCUS ON CHARGERS, NOT OLYMPICS

Yes, Filner has made overtures to the Chargers. For this, he deserves even more credit than for whatever he said in that quote that is destined for my wall.

Somewhat surprisingly, he’s the Chargers’ favorite mayor, for his proposal to use proceeds from sale of the land around Qualcomm Stadium and the Valley View Casino Center (Sports Arena) to help fund a new stadium downtown and for his backing of the team’s proposal for a dual-use facility rather than the current convention center expansion project.

And, also in Filner’s defense, we’re in a bit of a holding pattern on the stadium while the Coastal Commission and court wrangle over the present convention center plan.

Still, the Chargers will not wait forever. The economic climate is edging back to favorable. There are developers interested in working with the team and city right now. Yes, discussions are happening.

The window of opportunity to get a stadium here is ajar. But we have learned that windows of opportunity don’t stay open very long with the Chargers.

I know Mayor Filner has a lot on his card fixing this burg, and he shouldn’t be distracted by nonsense. His sole focus when turning his attention to sports should be working to get a new Chargers stadium.